Commissioner Basham met with China’s Customs Minister Mu Xinsheng, to discuss efforts to eliminate counterfeiting. The two signed a memorandum of cooperation stating that CBP will provide China with information on the sources of seized goods, and China will communicate within 90 days on the status of efforts to track down the counterfeiters.

“We've got to start dealing with the source of the problem,” Commissioner Basham said. “We can't expect to rely upon interdiction to be our tool in order to stop these products.” About 80 percent of the value of the 14,775 shipments of counterfeit goods seized at U.S. ports last year came from China.

Commissioner Basham also expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by China Customs for CBP programs such as the Container Security Initiative, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and other programs. CSI became operational in the ports of Shanghai in April 2005 and Shenzhen in June 2005.

Recognizing that CBP values its cooperation with China, Commissioner Basham also conveyed the benefits of C-TPAT to Chinese enterprises, such as the ability to deliver goods to customers faster. The C-TPAT program contributes to the expanding economic relationship between the United States and China through the protection of international trading lanes.

Growing trade relations with China requires that CBP be fully engaged with China on C-TPAT and CSI. China Customs began serious consideration of the C-TPAT validations earlier this year in anticipation of the Commissioner’s visit. “China is now the U.S.’s second largest trading partner in the world,” Basham said during a speech to members of the American Chamber of Commerce based in China. “Our bilateral trade last year exceeded $343 billion and this figure will continue to grow. In order to protect this important trading relationship which benefits both our countries, we must be aggressive about adopting programs that ensure safe and vibrant trade.”

In addition to engaging China Customs in trade-related matters, CBP is also extending assistance with security for the upcoming Chinese Olympic Games to be held in 2008 in Beijing. “We are talking to the Ministry of Public Security about helping with respect to getting prepared for and then dealing with this very important event,” said Commissioner Basham. “We are prepared to offer assistance in any way we can for the upcoming Chinese Olympic Games.”